Ex-Southbridge manager settles suit against town

A lawsuit filed by a former town manager against the town was settled months ago, but the details are only now being made public.

Former manager Clayton R. Carlisle’s lawsuit against the town and two former councilors alleging breach of contract, constructive termination, and false and malicious accusations of financial wrongdoing was settled for $45,000.

The settlement was reached in July, but town officials did not make a public statement about it at the time.

When asked about the status of the case recently, Town Manager Christopher Clark said he realized the town wasn’t in possession of the signed agreement from its lawyer.

Mr. Clark said he gave councilors the signed agreement earlier this month during an executive session. The manager released the agreement to the newspaper after it made a public records request.

Mr. Carlisle was paid $114,747 annually when he resigned in 2008.

He claimed the town owed him six months’ severance pay, $44,624 for 101.5 accrued days of sick leave, and for “the financial impact” of a five-day suspension without pay in December 2007.

The lawsuit alleged the suspension was a pretext to get rid of Mr. Carlisle and avoid the severance pay.

Another element of the lawsuit dealt with not being paid what was owed to him in a timely manner.

In an interview Friday, Mr. Carlisle noted that in 2008 the state Legislature passed a law that defined a time range for wages and established triple damages.

Mr. Clark said the two sides had participated in mediation, and afterward he and a town lawyer asked councilors in closed session if they would approve settling the case if the town didn’t have to pay from its coffers. Councilors agreed.

Former councilors Ronald J. Chernisky and Robert F. King were the co-defendants.

Mr. Carlisle’s authorization of a $3,500 emergency medical technician stipend to then Fire Chief Leonard N. Laporte was said to have gone against the will of the majority of the council, and led to Mr. Carlisle’s Dec. 19, 2007, disciplinary hearing.

The council voted to place him on unpaid suspension for alleged insubordination.

In a recent interview, Mr. Chernisky said he felt settling the case sent the wrong message — that future disgruntled managers could seek financial gain from suing.

Council Chairwoman Catherine E. Nikolla did not respond to an email seeking comment.